Every roll is measured before it shipsMade-to-size cane panels, cut to the 1/4 in
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Replace a pressed cane seat

If your chair has a groove around the seat opening, the cane was pressed in as one sheet and held by a strip of spline. You can replace it in an afternoon with a few simple tools.

Time
An afternoon, plus a night to dry
Level
Beginner

What you needHow to replace a pressed cane seat, step by step

What you need

Everything in one box

Chair Seat Caning Kit for Pressed Cane, with Spline and WedgesThis kit has the main materials and tools for this project.
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Materials
Cane Webbing Roll, Open Weave Natural Rattan, 14 to 36 in WideNatural rattan cane webbing in the classic open weave, on rolls 14 to 36 in wide, for chair seats, cabinet doors, headboards and screens.
Reed Spline for Chair Caning, 6 ft Coil, Sizes #6.5 to #11Reed spline that locks pressed cane into a chair seat groove, in nine sizes from #6.5 to #11: #7 fits 1/8 in, #8 fits 3/16 in, #9 fits 1/4 in grooves.
Tools
Caning Wedges, Hardwood, 3.9 in, Packs of 10, 20 or 40Smooth hardwood wedges with a thin edge for tapping pressed cane into the groove and holding it while you work round the seat; packs of 10, 20 or 40.
Caning Chisel for Removing Old Spline, 1/8 or 3/16 in BladeA narrow steel chisel with a wooden handle, ground to fit the spline groove and lift out old spline and cane without widening it; 1/8 or 3/16 in blade.
Wood Glue for Caning, White PVA, 4 fl oz Bottle with Narrow TipWhite PVA wood glue in a 4 fl oz squeeze bottle with a narrow tip that lays a clean bead into a spline groove. Dries clear; wipes up with a damp cloth.
Rubber Mallet for Caning and Upholstery, Mini, 8 oz or 16 ozSmall rubber-headed mallet for tapping reed spline into the groove and driving caning wedges without marking the wood. Mini, 8 oz or 16 oz.
Utility Knife for Cane and Upholstery, 18 mm or 9 mm Snap-OffRetractable utility knife for trimming pressed cane at the groove and cutting webbing, foam, batting and fabric. 18 mm metal or 9 mm snap-off.
Optional
Square Cane Webbing Roll (Radio Weave), Natural Rattan, 14 to 24 inSquare weave cane webbing, also called radio weave: natural rattan strands crossed at right angles in a neat grid, for doors and wall panels.
Cane Webbing Sample Pack, 4 Natural Weaves, 12 x 12 in EachFour 12 x 12 in pieces of natural rattan cane webbing: open, square, herringbone and diamond weave. See them on your furniture before buying a roll.

How it is done

  1. Measure the opening and the groove width, then pick the cane width and the spline size.
  2. Cut out the old spline with a chisel and clean the groove.
  3. Soak the cane webbing in warm water for about 30 minutes.
  4. Lay the cane over the seat and press it into the groove with wedges, working from the middle out.
  5. Trim the overhang just below the outer edge of the groove.
  6. Run glue into the groove and tap the soaked spline in.
  7. Let it dry overnight: the cane tightens as it dries.

Tip: Not sure of your groove size? Send a photo with a ruler across the groove and we will tell you the spline.

Full guides

Not sure what your chair needs?

Send a photo of the seat and underside. We answer every question.

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